99 Homes

Director: Ramin Bahrani

Length: 99 mins

So far one of the year's really memorable films, 99 Homes is guaranteed to stress you out big time! It's the story of the ordinary folks who got kicked out of their homes after banks foreclosed on them as a result of the GFC. Wheeling dealing Rick Carver (Michael Shannon ) is an estate agent with few scruples and a determination he will make big bucks from others' misfortunes. Dennis Nash has even fewer scruples. After being evicted by Carver he ends up working for the man, and doing the same to others as was done to him. This relentlessly tense, superbly acted film will get your heart in your throat, and make you re-examine the meaning of home, and what you might do to hang onto it. 

A must see film!

For my full review:

http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=5919


The Crow's Egg

Director: M Manikandan

Length: 99 mins

Two young brothers live in the slums of Chennai with Mother and Granny. When their only playground is taken over by greedy developers to build a pizza shop, life for the boys focuses around a new obsession - to squirrel away enough money to treat themselves to a pizza. This Tamil language, non-Bollywood film is a lovely combination of humour, compassion, and satire. It is a gentle tale that is guaranteed not only to entertain but also to show up the endemic issues of corruption and the ever-present class divide in Indian society.  The little boys are total charmers too!  

Definitely worth seeing!

For my full review:

http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=5917



The Hunger Games - Mockingjay Part 2

Director: Francis Lawrence

Length: 137 mins

Finally another epic four-film saga reaches its conclusion! And a thoroughly satisfying one at that. If you've followed the trials and tribulations of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), you'll want to see how she fares in the final showdown between the districts and the Capitol, led by the cruel dictator Snow (Donald Sutherland). This all probably means nothing to those who aren't familiar with the highly popular futuristic best-selling teen novels upon which the films are based. The good news is that the special effects are excellent, the plot quite gripping, and Everdeen a feminist heroine to be admired.   

Definitely worth seeing if you've followed the saga so far!

Better late than never! Here we go with a couple of new ones, but first let's mention some major fun had last week, when Lido on the Roof launched, with a wham-bam James Bond themed party and a lot of fun, not to mention the important bit of previewing some of the excellent films to come over the summer months - films like Spectre, Star Wars, Carol and many many more. Owner Eddie Tamir is a great creative gift to the Melbourne cinema scene, and I'll certainly raise a martini to toast his vision in giving us another must-visit cinema (with enough mainstream and arthouse films to please everyone!)

Check out the program at:
http://www.lidocinemas.com.au/Page/Home 

He Named Me Malala

Director: David Guggenheim

Length: 121 mins

The story of the attempted murder in 2012 by the Taliban of 15-year-old Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai reverberated throughout the world. This doco gives us the background to the story and introduces us to an inspirational young woman, who has already won the Nobel Peace Prize. Although the director deals with the chronology in a style that is too fragmented for my taste, the content is fascinating, and Malala a revelation. Interviews, archival footage, and beautifully painted sequences of Malala's past in the Swat Valley, make for worthwhile viewing.  

Definitely worth a look!

For my full review:

http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=5910

Spectre

Director: Sam Mendes

Length: 148 mins

It's a long one, but not for a moment did I get bored in this latest Bond adventure. The opening scene is an absolute cracker, being set in Mexico's Day of the Dead street festival. After a seriously impressive tracking shot, the action kicks in with a bang and doesn't let up. Who really cares about the details of the convoluted plot? Suffice to know the action is gripping, and all our much loved (or much hated?) Bond tropes are there - a ticking clock counting down to a bomb exploding, chases in all manner of vehicles from choppers, to boats and planes, ludicrous punch-ups in which no-one gets so much as a mark on the impeccable white suit, and of course the martinis and the Bond girls. This time we've got a Bond woman in the form Monica Bellucci - and a voluptuous French gal played by Lea Seydoux. Menacing Christophe Waltz is perfect as the baddie, and Craig is, as ever, his cool insouciant self. 

Really good!

For a full review from Chris Thompson:

http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=5911


Rosso Come il Cielo (Red Like the Sky) 
Director: Cristiano Bortone

Length: 96 mins

An oldie from 2006, picked up on SBS but definitely worth recommending if you stumble across it. 
Winning 16 awards at a wide range of film festivals, this is the true story of  Tuscan lad Mirco Menacci, who lost his sight at the age of 11.  When Mirco was sent to a school for the blind, he pursued his already entrenched love of film and began recording sound effects to accompany narrated stories. Ultimately this determined and creative boy ended up being one of Italy's most esteemed sound editors, still working today. The story is inspiring and touching, with terrific cinematography as well as beautiful acting from all the children.
 

Really good!

What I love about reviewing film, is the diversity of opinion about any one film.  Yes, there are certain criteria that make a film "good" or not, but often individual taste plays a big part. I sometimes see that a film is not objectively great - perhaps cliched, emotionally manipulative - yet it touches something deep in me, and I realise afterwards I have enjoyed it much more than I can commend it. Conversely, I may recognise that a film is strong in many regards, yet somewhere it leaves me emotionally cold, or I fail to engage with any of the characters, or don't care two hoots for what the film-maker has to say. Certainly in this blog I find myself at total odds with my fellow cinephilia reviewer CT, who loved Mistress America and The Lobster. I however didn't! But the at times emotionally manipulative film Freeheld, dealing with love and gay rights, and starring two of my favorite female actors, struck a chord with me. You be the judge! 

Freeheld
Director: Peter Sollett 
Length: 104 mins

Based on fact, Freeheld is the story of police detective Laurel Hester (Julieanne Moore) who covers up her sexual orientation lest it jeopardise her career. When diagnosed with terminal cancer, Laurel is told she cannot leave her superannuation to her same-sex partner Stacie (Ellen Page). A landmark court battle begins. The love story is sensitively and beautifully portrayed with both women giving compelling performances. Michael Shannon is perfect as Hester's colleague who is one of the few men who goes in to bat for the gals in this prejudiced and testosterone-driven world. When gay rights activist Steven Goldstein (Steve Carrell) also takes up the cause, things get a bit overblown and the jeering and chanting in the courtroom could have been cut back. Overall though, this is a well-made film, as relevant today as it was a decade ago. 
Oh, and don't forget the tissues! (Emotional manipulation alert!) 

Definitely worth a look!

For a full review from Chris Thompson:

http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=5892

Mistress America

Director: Noah Baumbach

Length: 84 mins

Young freshman Tracey (Lola Kirke) is a bit of a self-effacing outsider, with the ambition of getting into an exclusive literary club at college. But when she meets her older soon-to-be stepsister Brooke (Greta Gerwig) her life becomes much more exciting. I know Baumbach is seen as one of the very hip film-makers with a handle on witty dialogue and an insight into young minds, but somehow he doesn't do it for me. Whether it's the age difference (me and his characters), I simply don't find myself drawn in, and even though the film is solidly produced, and there are some rather funny almost farce-style moments, I find it a bit self-conscious and forced, especially Gerwig's performance. But plenty of other people love it, so you might!  

Maybe worth a look!

For a full review from Chris Thompson (who is a big fan):

www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=5900

The Lobster

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Length: 118mins

In a futuristic world people must be in pairs. As soon as there is a divorce or death, all singles are sent to a "resort" where they must pair up within a few weeks, or be turned into an animal of their choice. Colin Farrel plays against type as the stolid David, who does a runner from the resort to meet up with a band of rebels in the forest. 
This outlandish and at times thought-provoking premise certainly has the potential for fun, but it's no wonder some call this genre of cinema "Greek weird wave".  It's not my type of film, and at 118 minutes it outstays its welcome. But again, I am in the minority here, as Lobster nipped its way to a Grand Jury prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival! 

Maybe worth a look!

For a full review from Chris Thompson (who is, again, a big fan):

http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=5892

Jewish International Film Festival

As ever, JIFF is a smorgasbord for lovers of fine film. With a greater than ever number of feature films, docos and special events, JIFF promises to have something for everyone. As curator Eddie Tamir always says, the stories are universal, and cross national boundaries. I’ve been so impressed by this year’s program I’ve knocked myself out trying to preview as many as possible. 

Here they are in (approximate) order of my enjoyment!  

Sabena Hijacking – My Version

This is a gripping docu-drama, about the hijacking of a Belgian Sabena aircraft by four terrorists in 1972. The film blends a mix of dramatic re-enactment with powerful performances by Bobbi Lax as the captain and George Iskandar as the leading terrorist. The drama is interspersed with current day reminiscences from such notable figures as Benjamin Netanyanu, Shimon Peres, and even one of the hijackers, along with some archival footage. It all comes together in a nail biter, that is as relevant today as it was then. 

 

On the Banks of the Tigris: The Hidden Story of Iraqi Music

Iraqi-Australian Majid, who came to Melbourne as a Muslim refugee, sets out to track down the source of much of the Iraqi music he loves and remembers from his childhood in Baghdad. He discovers that many of the best-loved Iraqi songs were written by Iraqi Jews, so he heads to Israel to meet Jews who left Iraq and still play the music. This leads him to meeting musicians from all backgrounds and faiths, and to unite them in putting on a concert showcasing music as a means for peace and reconciliation. The film is moving, entertaining, and a walking advertisement for the power of music to heal rifts and connect all peoples. 

 

Felix and Meira

Not often do we get a rare and privileged insight into the closed ultra-Orthodox society of the Hasidic Jews. Meira is a young Hasidic wife who feels progressively trapped by the strictures of her life. When she meets a more liberal man, Felix, their friendship heads in an unexpected direction. This is a beautifully shot film, with gentle and sensitive performances, and a script that doesn’t condemn, but simply shows us differences and the importance of being free to choose.

 

The Physician

The epic is back! At two and a half hours this engaging historical tale takes us from 11^th century London to Persia, hub of learning. Young Christian orphan Rob Cole (Tom Payne) teams up with a local amateur healer, but then travels, disguised as a Jew, to Persia where he studies medicine under the legendary healer Avicenna (Ben Kingsley). The film is gloriously shot, bringing to vivid life the grime and ignorance of medieval London compared to the exoticness of intellectualism of ancient Persia, and portrays some of the early discoveries that paved the way for modern medicine. Thoroughly entertaining and a visual feast. 

Vita Activa: The Spirit of Hannah Arendt

Arendt is the German-Jewish philosopher who, in describing Adolf Eichmann, coined the phrase “banality of evil”, causing some Jews to label her an anti-Semite. This impressive and intense doco about her life, loves and philosophies gives a rare insight into an incredible woman, with a powerful intellect. Rich with complex ideas and a wealth of history, this is not to missed by those who like to ponder life’s difficult questions.

Experimenter

Psychologist Stanley Milgram (played mesmerizingly by Peter Sarsgaard) performed now infamous experiments in which the “teacher” was instructed to deliver an electric shock to the “learner” whenever he gave a wrong answer. Through these obedience experiments Milgram attempted to understand how ordinary people could blindly obey authority (with particular reference to the Holocaust). This experiment and many others are examined in a thought-provoking film that asks us to examine the nature of evil. 

 

By Sidney Lumet

Legendary filmmaker Sidney Lumet takes us through his life, from his early childhood days as an actor, through his directing of so many award-winning films. We learn what mattered to Lumet in his life and his film-making, and discover a man with a great ability to reflect, with humility, upon a brilliant body of work. The film is rich with clips from many of Lumet’s iconic films, such as Serpico, 12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, The Verdict, and more recently Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead. An unmissable treat for movie buffs. 

Censored Voices

In 1967 Israel was victorious in the six-day war. Immediately following, renowned writer Amos Oz and a group of kibbutzniks recorded conversations with young soldiers who had fought. For 50 years Israel censored these recordings, but now they are amalgamated into a film, along with recollections from many of the men who are now old. It is a salutary lesson that war is brutal, cruel and often senseless, despite being seen as heroic at the time. 

 

The Man in the Wall 

One rainy night Shir wakes up to find her husband Rami, is missing, and that only the dog he went walking with has returned. As people come and go through the course of the night, things are revealed to be not what they initially seem. Touted as a thriller, it is more a psychological drama, with a twist at the end which definitely left me thinking!

My Shortest Love Affair

Twenty years after an old love affair, Charles and Louisa accidentally re-meet, have a one-night stand and she gets pregnant. The two decide to give it a go, but they are so different that the relationship is a major challenge. Though there are some smart lines and amusing moments, I didn’t really find the plot or characters ultimately very credible. 

 

For a slightly fuller review including directors: 

http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=5904

Burnt

Director: John Wells

Length: 101 mins

I love foodie films and while this one is no Babette's Feast or Big Night, it's a lot of fun, but definitely not something to see when you are hungry.  The shots of the gorgeous food, like paintings on a plate, are definitely something to drool over. 
Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper) leaves Paris where he was once a 2-star Michelin chef but wrecked his career with substance abuse. Setting up a new resto in a fancy hotel owned by his friend Tony (Daniel Bruhl), he is now aiming for 3 stars. But he is a total diva, driving his staff into the ground, throwing tantrums, and nothing is ever good enough. Can his new sous-chef Helene (Sienna Miller) change his dastardly ways and teach him the meaning of teamwork?  

Definitely worth a look!

For a full review from Bernard Hemingway (who didn't like it as much as I did):

http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=5893

The Dressmaker

Director: Jocelyn Moorhouse

Length: 105 mins

This hoot of a new Aussie film defies categorisation. It is part romance and part revenge tale, and all with a goodly dose of tongue-in-cheek Aussie humour and haute couture. After years abroad in the fashion centres of Europe, Tilly (Kate Winslett) rolls into her childhood country town, armed with Singer sewing machine and a determination to find out the truth about her implication as a child in the death of a schoolmate. She reconnects with her dotty mother (Judy Davis), falls for local footy star and town hunk Teddy (Liam Hemsworth), and single-handedly transforms the dress-style of the local townswomen. 

There is a poultice of iconic Aussie stars in this one, with Hugo Weaving a stand-out as a local cross-dressing policeman. At times too many characters to keep a track of, but all up a load of fun with fabulous cinematography. 
Definitely worth a look!

For my full review:

http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=5902


Black Mass

Director: Scott Cooper

Length: 122 mins

An almost unrecognisable Johnny Depp plays Boston criminal James "Whitey" Bulger, who became an informant for the FBI. As a gangster film it's well made, but is no Goodfellas. It includes excellent performances from Joel Edgerton as the FBI cop who gradually falls prey to corruption, along with Benedict Cumberbatch as Bulger's brother, who just happens to be a Senator. The story is in fact based on truth, but, like so many of these films,  it is laced with ultra-violence and the characters are thoroughly unpleasant. So, you probably need to be a fan of the genre to go to see it. 

Maybe worth a look!

For a full review from Bernard Hemingway:

http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=5880

BBC First British Film Festival

This gem of a festival has just started and is currently screening in most cities until around mid November. 
I managed to preview Brooklyn, starring Saiorse Ronan as a young Irish gal who emigrates to New York, leaving all she knows and loves behind. It was moving and glorious, and is highly recommended. Other films in the catalogue look simply splendid, so let's hope some come out on general release, but for an early look check out www.britishfilmfestival.com.au  
The festival also includes a retrospective of 10 iconic romance films such as The Go-Between and Ryan's Daughter, with each film selected to reflect a decade from 1900 to1990. All totally worth a revisit!
 
  
STAY TUNED FOR JIFF!

The Jewish International Film Festival is opening this Wednesday November 4th and I'm busily previewing some brilliant films. I'll report in when I'm done, but meantime visit www.jiff.com.au for the total programming. 

The Greek Film Festival goes into its second week in Melbourne and the opening night film, Alex and Eve, is now on mainstream release. 

Bridge of Spies 

Director: Steven Spielberg

Length: 123 mins

Top scripting, directing and acting go into making this fine thriller about the Cold War era. Based on a true story taking place in 1957 BoS tells of New York lawyer James Donovan (Tom Hanks), who is hired to defend a Soviet spy, Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance). When a US spy plane is shot down over Soviet territory, Donovan is co-opted by the CIA to go negotiate a prisoner swap with the Soviets.  Hanks, in his inimitable way, plays a decent man who stands for justice, and Rylance is downright brilliant as the so-called enemy, who is also a good human being who just happens to be on the "wrong" side. Production values of the film are top-notch and it is also fascinating to revisit this period of history, especially the segments concerning the building of the Berlin Wall. 

Definitely go see it!

For a full review from Bernard Hemingway:

http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=5895

Alex and Eve

Director: Peter Andrikidis

Length: 90 mins

Hot on the heels of last week's unIndian, comes another ethnic comedy of multi-cultural lovers, this time a Greek schoolteacher Alex falling for a Muslim Lebanese lawyer Eve.  Of course the parents want any marriage to be within the community, and the usual family conflicts ensue. Humour derives from the depiction of the stereotyped behaviours of both cultures. Some of it is very funny; other bits feel to me forced and cliched. I have a few problems with certain plot and character points that just don't ring true, but for a light weight experience it could be ok. 

Maybe worth a look!

For my full review:

http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=5894